The Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan, received the Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, along with a delegation from the council, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the National Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue, Mohammad El-Samakh. After the meeting, Sheikh Al-Khatib stated: "The meeting with His Eminence the Mufti and the spiritual authorities was necessary in these circumstances to exchange views. What is happening in Gaza, with the crimes, massacres, killings, and attempts to displace the Palestinians and eradicate the Palestinian cause, was the focus of this meeting, in addition to the internal Lebanese situation and the ramifications of these conditions, alongside the threats posed by the Israeli enemy toward Lebanon. Consensus was achieved on this matter. We also discussed the issue of the spiritual summit and are in the process of completing consultations with other religious authorities to reach a final decision on this matter."
Regarding the possibility of electing a president before the next year, he said: "We hope for that and call for it as soon as possible. The convergence of Israeli threats and social conditions in these difficult times is enough for the officials to take responsibility and expedite the process of agreeing on electing a president for the republic, thereby filling all vacancies, forming a government, and so on. The Lebanese community, regardless of Israeli threats, needs consensus, especially now with the Israelis threatening to bomb Lebanon and the daily aggressions at the borders. The Lebanese are being bombed and killed in their villages, leading to the displacement from some of these areas; they need steps from the state." He emphasized that the issue of electing a president for the republic and filling vacancies, as well as the matter of the military leadership, "should all compel officials to fulfill their responsibilities regarding these issues."
